Getting Control of Procrastination

There is no magic pill to overcome procrastination entirely, but you can get better control of it. Here are some tips to manage procrastination.

Get started.
Break up the job into small pieces, and tackle the job one piece at a time.
Set specific small progress goals.
“I will read three pages of chapter four tonight, starting at 7 p.m.,” rather than saying, “I’ll read chapter four sometime this week."
Set small increments of time to work on a goal.
Be patient with yourself even if you are only accomplishing small goals at a time.
Work on the hardest piece of the task first, so you don’t dread getting to the harder part while you work on the easier parts.
Tackling the easier pieces first works for some. Try out both ways and get to know your own personal style and preference.
Make lists of things to be done, and then check them off when you get them done.

Make a list of the pros and cons of procrastinating on a particular task. Set a timer and look at the list of disadvantages for five minutes. Often the urge to procrastinate will vanish.
Set up some rewards for not procrastinating.
Try “tricking” yourself. “If I don’t read this chapter by 9:00 p.m. then I won’t allow myself to watch my favorite television show.”
Set yourself up with a “study buddy” and set dates to study together or have someone with whom you check in on a regular basis and review your progress.
Accept you are not going to get rid of all your desires to procrastinate, ever. You are going to have to produce results despite these urges.
Do not expect perfections. Just get it done.
Make sure you take time to have fun without worrying about what needs to get done.

Remember – change happens very slowly, and in very small pieces.

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